An exhibition of thanks as veterans tribute arrives
LaSalle Bank employee Karen Olynyk stood along Lisle's Main Street Wednesday afternoon holding the American flag -- and she knew exactly who she needed to thank for that.
She and about 50 other downtown workers and patrons lined the road to greet the American Veterans Traveling Tribute, a memorial to those who have died for their country, as it rolled into town escorted by more than 75 motorcycles.
"They're the ones who let us stand in the street today," Olynyk said as she helped fold a large American flag. "There should have been more (people to greet the wall), but I think people will be there this weekend."
Bruce Springsteen's "Born In The USA" blasted from one motorcycle as it traveled with the wall from Heritage Harley-Davidson down Ogden Avenue to its position on the old village hall site at Burlington Avenue and Main Street.
Other riders, laden with American flags and stickers, honked and waved.
The tribute wall, engraved with the names of more than 58,000 fallen members of the armed services, should be seen as a celebration of freedom, organizers say, and not a cemetery.
"This is not a morbid place," said Don Allen, CEO of American Veterans Traveling Tribute. "We have an obligation to celebrate that freedom that they gave us. That's what they would have wanted."
The 80 percent replica of the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C., stands 8 feet high and 370 feet long and will be open for viewing 24 hours a day through Sunday.
The wall honors all those who died in service during Vietnam and since, including those on Sept. 11, 2001, and in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"It's respect remembering our fallen heroes," Rolling Thunder and ride organizer Steve Pletzke said. "This is why America is a free country -- for those 58,000 names."
Throughout the weekend, the wall will serve as an educational experience for children and as the site of several ceremonies, including a memorial to those who died Sept. 11.
The visit is a combined effort among the Ross Bishop VFW Post 5696, the village, the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District, the Lisle Visitors and Convention Bureau, and Rolling Thunder Illinois Chapter 1.
Opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m. today with the raising of the colors, pledge of allegiance, national anthem, prayer service, and a speech by state Rep. Jim Meyer of Naperville.